Laois GAA and Laois Camogie clubs to feature as Féile na nGael comes to Laois and Carlow
Hundreds of teams and thousands of players will descend on venues across Laois and Carlow, with clubs from throughout Laois represented
One of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe will have a major Laois flavour this weekend as clubs from across the county prepare for the 2026 John West Féile na nGael national and regional finals.
More than 200 club sides and thousands of players will compete in the national hurling and camogie finals on Saturday, June 20, with Laois and Carlow hosting the one-day event. While the top-tier Division 1 competitions will be centred around Laois Hire O'Moore Park and the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise, no Laois teams are involved at that level.
However, there will be no shortage of county interest elsewhere, with clubs from every corner of Laois represented across the various divisions.
In Division 2 hurling, Portlaoise, The Harps and Borris-Kilcotton will be based in Borris-in-Ossory, while Camross will compete in Kilcotton.
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Laois clubs are also strongly represented in Division 2 camogie, where Naomh Eamonn and St Brigid's will play their matches in Rathdowney GAA and St Fergal's College.
Division 3 hurling sees Park-Ratheniska/Timahoe, St Fintan's Mountrath, Barrow Gaels and Castletown all in action. Their games will take place at the Carlow GAA Centre of Excellence in Fenagh.
Banríon Gaels will enjoy home advantage in Division 4 camogie, with fixtures taking place in O'Dempsey's GAA grounds.
Clonad-Trumera, Rathdowney-Errill, Ballinakill and Abbeyleix are among the teams competing in Division 5 hurling, with all games being hosted by Clonad GAA. Clonad's camogie side will also be in action in Division 5, with matches scheduled for SETU Carlow.
In Division 6 hurling, Mountmellick and St Paul's will both compete at Mountmellick GAA grounds.
There is further county representation in the invitational camogie competitions. Portlaoise are involved in Invitational 1 at Myshall GAA, while St Lazarian's and The Harps feature in Invitational 2 in Tinryland. Camross will line out in Invitational 3, which is being held in Carlow Town.
Laois will also be heavily involved off the field, with 28 county referees set to officiate across hurling and camogie competitions on Saturday.
The John West Féile na nGael national finals are among the highlights of the GAA calendar and continue to attract teams from across Ireland and overseas, including Europe, Britain, the Americas and Australasia.
GAA president Jarlath Burns described the festival as “an integral and very important part of the GAA calendar. It has nurtured a wonderful enthusiasm for our games and has been the making of many friendships and memories,” he said.
Camogie Association president Brian Molloy said Féile remains one of the most cherished experiences in the development of young players.
“ I am hugely looking forward to John West Féile 2026. It is one of the standout events of our calendar and is one of the most cherished moments in the development of many camogie players. The very best of luck to all participants this weekend. I would also like to thank our officials and volunteers, who make these events happen,” Molloy said.
First held in 1971, Féile na nGael has grown into one of the largest juvenile sporting events in Europe, with John West recently extending its sponsorship of the festival through to 2028.